Providing a comfortable climate for winter cycling is at the front of the CHCH National Cycling Centre Hamilton's (NCCH) plans for the coming cold weather months. Numerous programs will provide an indoor setting for cyclists of all ages and abilities. The programs will follow a successful year of race results for high-performance athletes racing with Team CHCH.

"Our racing team was very successful this spring and summer, winning the Overall Ontario Youth Cup, as well as the Ontario Road Cup for teams," said NCCH president and coaching director Lloyd Fairbairn. The centre is using its expertise to support recreational cycling in the community, an activity for everyone to participate in.

Programs will be held at the NCCH in the Morgan Firestone Arena in Ancaster and include bicycle maintenance seminars, introductory sessions and the new Tour de Hamilton indoor riding series. The programs are open to mountain bike, road, track, cyclocross and recreational riders. NCCH is looking to attract swimmers, runners, triathletes, hockey players and other sports and fitness participants for cross-training opportunities.

NCCH is currently conducting their School Cycling Program, introducing middle and secondary school students to cycling and identifying new program participants. Schools can sign on to participate at info@ncch.ca.

CHCH National Cycling Centre Hamilton is a not-for-profit corporation created as legacy organization following the 2003 UCI World Road Cycling Championships in Hamilton. The Centre is one of five nationally recognized cycling centres in Canada and is responsible for identifying, recruiting, testing, coaching and training high performance and development athletes in the Province of Ontario. The Centre is formally partnered with the Canadian Cycling Association, the Ontario Cycling Association, the City of Hamilton and McMaster University. Since its creation in 2005, the Centre has assisted over 20 athletes win medals at National Championships and/or become members of the Canadian National Cycling Team.